From parkrun To Promenade In Brighton

The face that launched a thousand parkruns is set to fulfil the role of guest race starter at Brighton Marathon Weekend. There is barely a month to go before parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE (pictured) sounds the klaxon in Preston Park to send over 15,000 runners on their way in the Brighton Marathon and BM10K on Sunday, 15 April.

Paul is excited to have been asked to start the races at Brighton Marathon Weekend and said: “I’m delighted to be involved with The Brighton Marathon and BM10K at every level. These events are critical for so many folks of every ability and from all parts of the country. I get goosebumps just thinking about being at the start line seeing all those people getting ready to challenge themselves. I can’t wait for the day.”

The global phenomenon that is parkrun will shortly be launching in their twentieth country. parkrun events take place in parkland surroundings and encourage people of every ability to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians.

Tom Naylor, Brighton Marathon Weekend Event Director said: “It’s fantastic to have this year's Brighton Marathon and BM10K started by someone who has worked so hard to expand the running community in both the UK and abroad. Many participants in this Brighton Marathon Weekend will have taken part in a parkrun as a part of their training, or been inspired by Paul's work to take up running. The parkrun ethos of creating a safe and easy running environment has brought communities together, and this vision is very compatible with what Brighton Marathon Weekend aims to do every April.”

Brighton Marathon Weekend comprises The Cancer Research UK ‘Kids & Teens’ Mini Mile Races on Saturday 14 April; the BM10K and Brighton Marathon on Sunday 15 April plus the Event Village on the 13, 14 and 15 April on Madeira Drive.

Last year there were 12,561 marathon starters at an unexpectedly warm eighth annual race. Stuart Hawkes (Tipton Harriers, 2:27:36) made history by becoming the first British winner. The women's race was won by Helen Davies (Ipswich Jaffa, 2:42:40). Almost 2,500 broke four hours and the events were witnessed by an estimated crowd of 150,000.

Race day information is available at the Brighton Marathon Weekend website and onFacebook or Twitter